Although the Musser House continues to be closed for facility upgrades, the staff at the Muscatine Art Center is busy preparing for holiday events. The annual event, Sunday with Santa, is set for December 4th, and the Friends’ holiday fundraiser, Delights of December, includes live music and a festival meal on December 17th.
According to Muscatine Art Center Director, Melanie Alexander, “2016 has presented some special challenges, but I continue to be impressed with the creativity of the staff and the Friends board as they re-think the events.”
Sunday with Santa is a free event sponsored by First National Bank of Muscatine, CBI Bank & Trust, and the Community Bank of Muscatine. Due to the closure of the Musser House and construction in the studio, the craft project will be offered in the Peanuts… Naturally exhibition where Santa will also visit with children. The December 4th event begins at 1:30 p.m. with pictures with Santa from 2 to 4 p.m. Families are encouraged to bring their own cameras.
The Friends of the Muscatine Art Center are offering the new event, Delights of December, at the Orange Street Theater. “This is the first year in a long time that a Friends’ fundraiser has been held at a venue other than the Art Center,” explains Alexander. “The Friends board found the silver lining in our facility upgrade project. The Music Room in the Musser House is far too small to accommodate a big band group like the Rod Pierson Band so it is the perfect year to try an alternative location.”
Delights of December includes a catered meal followed by dancing. The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. on December 17th. Tickets are $45 each with registration taken by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282. Reservations are secured with payment on a first-come basis through December 12th.
Through February 26, 2017, people of all ages can view the Peanuts… Naturally exhibition in the Stanley Gallery at Muscatine Art Center. Admission to the exhibition is by donation. Peanuts… Naturally takes a light-hearted look at Charles Schulz’s exploration of the natural world through Peanuts comic strips, videos, objects, and interactive stations. Visitors get a Peanuts-eye view of the universe, “web of nature,” trees, birds, the elements (snow, wind, rain, and clouds), gardening, and Charlie Brown’s EPA escapade. Activity stations allow kids of all ages, from pre-school to adults, to learn more about and appreciate the wonders of the natural world. Peanuts… Naturally is organized and toured by the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, Santa Rosa, California.
The Muscatine Art Center is located at 1314 Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine, Iowa. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday evenings until 7:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Visit www.muscatineartcenter.org for more information about programs and events and to download a class brochure.
